By Mike Wennin and originally published in The Lumber Heritage Region May Newsletter

That may seem like a lofty statement. However, since before the County was formed in 1860 its resources and people have made a contribution to the world and continue to do so today.

The County was formed from parts of Potter, Mckean, Elk, and Clinton Counties, for both political and practical reasons. The earliest known settlers came around 1800. There are no know Native American settlements in the County as the White Pine forests were too dense and dark to be inhabited. The area was known to them as fertile hunting grounds and several Native campsites have been identified. Native paths crisscross the County with some becoming today’s highways.

The lumber industry was one of the first organized industries in the County. Before the railroads came, White Pine spars were cut near the riverbanks and floated downstream where they ended up on the East Coast and were fitted on Clipper ships that sailed the World. Many of these spars were over 150’ long.
Photo of log raft in Driftwood, PA in the late 1800’s, provided by Mike Wennin.

As the industry progressed, the lumbering activity increased and logs were once again floated downstream to sawmills in the Williamsport and Marietta areas. Much of the lumber from this region was shipped to Europe where they had already devastated their forests.

The advent of the railroads made a huge impact on the industry. It significantly enlarged the area for lumbering. No longer were the logging operations confined by access to the rivers and streams. Tracks were laid up in almost every hollow and valley in the County. Entire mountains were cut. Local steam sawmills were set up. The industry was now able to ship not only logs but cut lumber. Much of this lumber was shipped to the West and was used to build towns and cities in the new frontier.

All of this industry created a group of very wealthy lumber Barons. These men invested heavily in the local economy and created new industries and jobs for the people who lived here. Many of these new industries had an international impact. One of the first was the dynamite industry. Five dynamite plants built in Cameron County. Dynamite and munitions created in Cameron County were shipped to Europe to support the Boer War and World War I. Twenty-five million tons of dynamite, made in the Sinnamahoning plants, was shipped to Panama to build the Canal. Another industry built by lumber money was the leather tanneries. There were 3 in Cameron County that used buffalo hides from the West to make boot leather and tack that supplied several European Armies.

Lumber money also funded the beginning of the world-renown Sylvania Electronics in Emporium. Starting in 1924, Sylvania supplied radio tubes to the nation and within five years were supplying tubes worldwide.

Today, Cameron County still has international connections through its powdered metal industry. The lumber industry is also alive and well. Its forests are sustainably logged, supplying logs to two lumber mills- Emporium Hardwoods, one of the top producing lumber mills in the country, and Lewis & Hockenberry, a supplier of furniture-grade lumber. Much of this lumber is exported to other countries.

In addition to these industries, Cameron County is well known for its outdoor recreation. Generations of hunters and fishermen have gravitated to hunt, fish, and recreate. Many people have camps and second homes here.

So, since before its beginning, Cameron County has made an international impact and continues to do so today.

Notes: Over the years, the LHR through DCNR mini-grant funding has leveraged nearly $70,000 to Cameron County projects. Examples of these are an outdoor classroom for the Cameron County Outdoor Youth Activities, a canoe launch in Driftwood, and a new sign at the Little Museum. More information about these projects can be found on the LHR website, All_Cameron.pdf (lumberheritage.org).

Find where to stay, eat, attractions, and things to do in Cameron County online at
https://visitpago.com/counties/cameron-county/